AMount Gambier City Councillor who has attended only two meetings since being elected in November will be absent from the role for a further three months.

Cr Mark Lovett has been granted leave of absence from March 27 to June 26, with his next attendance at an ordinary council meeting expected on July 18.

Missing three or more consecutive council meetings could result in a councillor being removed from office.

In this instance Cr Lovett’s leave, “due to employment and personal circumstances”, was approved by elected members at council’s April monthly meeting.

Had the leave not been approved, the April meeting would have been the third consecutive not attended by Cr Lovett.

There have been six council meetings since the November 2022 council elections.

Cr Lovett missed four of these meetings as he was suspended, though he was only stood down for the February meeting.

To date there have been 25 council workshops, information and briefing sessions.

Cr Lovett has attended 10, however six were held while he was stood down.

It was revealed the January ordinary meeting was the last Cr Lovett had attended and the last workshop he attended was on January 31.

In February, Cr Lovett was one of more than 40 councillors across South Australia stood down due to failure to lodge their campaign returns.

In March, Cr Lovett, along with all affected councillors, were able to take back their seat without consequence.

Meanwhile, elected members voted that Cr Lovett consider not accepting his member allowance, other facilities and support provided by council during his absence.

Cr Paul Jenner asked if the wording of the motion could be changed to ensure Cr Lovett “must” not accept his allowance.

Chief executive Sarah Philpott said council cannot compel councillors on a leave of absence to not take an allowance or other conditions.

“We do not have authority to require it, it’s a matter of good will from a councillor,” she said.

Ms Philpott said she had spoken to Cr Lovett prior to the meeting to ensure he was aware of the recommendation being put to council.

“Cr Lovett indicated it would be his intention to put in writing that he will cease acceptance of the member allowance and access to council information until his leave of absence concludes,” she said.

The recommendation was moved by Cr Frank Morello and seconded Cr Josh Lynagh.

However, Cr Max Bruins voted against.

“There is nothing formally in writing to say he will not accept the council member allowance if we grant the leave,” he said.

“Given the previous debacle with the donation returns and the tardiness on that.”

Cr Lovett’s role as presiding member of the Junior Sports Assistance Fund has also been relinquished.

Appointing a new presiding member was dealt with as a separate agenda item raised later in the meeting.

Cr Lynagh has stepped up to the role and will serve on the committee for the remainder of the council term.